18th November 2012 – sunny spells and showers NW3/4
Offshore
A group of 8 Shag were the pick of the offshore sightings.
Grounded Migrants
A check of the berry laden hawthorns on the island revealed 205 Blackbird, 33 Fieldfare, 12 Redwing and 3 Song Thrush but no grounded Waxwings.
Diurnal Migration
A single Waxwing circled the island before heading off north east while 40 Woodpigeon and 15 Whooper Swan were also logged.
Wildfowl and Waders
Totals for the monthly WeBS count included 6074 Oystercatcher, 1400 Knot, 1060 Dunlin, 1060 Redshank, 830 Lapwing, 730 Golden Plover, 890 Wigeon, 830 Curlew, 380 Teal, 344 Turnstone, 212 Grey Plover, 200 Snipe, 166 pale-bellied Brent Geese, 140 Mallard, 138 Cormorant, 100 Shelduck, 80 Ringed Plover, 57 Pintail, 30 Red-breasted Merganser, 30 Bar-tailed Godwit, 27 Goldeneye, 16 Purple Sandpiper, 15 Greenshank, 11 Grey Heron, 10 Little Egret, 4 Water Rail, 2 Shoveler and a Black-tailed Godwit.
Miscellaneous
Woodland species are not that common on the island but a tour of the less frequently visited areas in pursuit of Waxwings provided 23 Long-tailed Tit, 3 Jay and 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker. In addition, 6 Sparrowhawk were logged.
